HVAC - Basics (IAQ)

1
 HVAC
Heating, Ventilation and Air
Conditioning
Provides comfort for people
Allows humans to exist under
adverse conditions.
 Comfort

Comfort is primary intent

of HVAC systems.
Productivity
Building Durability
Health
Mold
 Load Calculations

Heating and Cooling

Accuracy important!
Design conditions
Building shell load
R, U value
Internal load
Ventilation load
Infiltration
Occupancy schedules
 Heat Transfer
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
Resistance (R-Value)
U=1/R
U-Value is the rate of heat
Q = U x A x T flow in Btu/h through a one ft2
area when one side is 1oF
warmer
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

The amount of solar

heat energy allowed to
pass through a window

Example: SHGC = 0.40

Allows 40% through and
turns 60% away
 Psychrometrics
Dry bulb temp.
Wet bulb temp.
Humidity
Dew point
Moisture content
Heating
Cooling
Humidify
De-Humidify
Psychrometric Chart
 Basic Refrigeration Cycle

Condenser

Compressor

Expansion
Valve

Evaporator
 Basic HVAC Equipment
Fans / Blowers
Furnace / Heating unit
Filters
Compressor
Condensing units
Evaporator (cooling coil)
Control System
Air Distribution System
 System Types and Common Terms
Packaged Rooftop Constant Volume
Unit Variable Volume
Indoor Air Quality
Split System
Direct Expansion
Heat Pump
Geothermal
Air to Air
Hydronic (water)
PTAC / PTHP
Packaged Rooftop Units
 Split System

Ductwork

Heating
and Cooling
Equipment

FURNACE

A/C UNIT
Temperature &
Humidity Controls
 Heat Pump
Operate on simple
refrigeration cycle
Reversing the cycle
provides heating
Temperature limitations
Air to air
Water source
Geothermal
Lake coupled
Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
 Variable Air Volume
Variable Speed Supply Ducts
Supply Fan

VAV Box
Filters
Cool Coil w/Temp Reset

Heat Coil w/Temp

Return Air

Reheat Coil
Reset

T T

Zone Thermostat

Variable Speed Return Ducts

Return Fan

HVAC-16
 Terminal Units
Variable volume: Constant volume:
Parallel Series
 Hydronic systems
Pumps
Piping
Valves
 Control Devices

Thermostats
Manual
Programmable
Optimum Start
DDC Systems
Variable Speed Drives
Automatic Valves and Dampers
Outdoor Sensors
 Major Equipment
Chillers

Boilers

Cooling Towers
 Economizers

Air Side
Water Side
 Economizers
Free cooling source: When available, use cool outdoor air instead
of mechanically cooled air.
Minimum supply of 55 oF and
outside air up
55 oF 85%
outside
air
85%
80 oF exhaust 80 oF

Normal Operation Economizer Operation

Outside air dampers are Outside air dampers are fully
positioned to provide the open. Maximum outside air is
minimum outside air provided

HVAC-22
 Zoning and Economizers
Economizers provide free cooling
when outdoor conditions are optimal

Proper orientation & zoning yields

comfort & efficiency

W Core E

HVAC-23
 Air Distribution
Ductwork
Metal
Flexible
Duct board
Grilles, Louvers,
& Registers
Dampers
Shut off
Fire
Smoke
Sealants
Supports
Return Plenum Problems

HVAC-25
 Additional Equipment
Energy Recovery Units
Desiccant Systems
 Additional Equipment
Heat Exchangers
Humidifiers
Silencers
 Mechanical Dehumidification
Return air is mixed with ventilation air

Cold coil condenses moisture

Heat is added back (electric or gas) so that room air is not

over cooled- Reheat
Filter
 Historical Minimum Ventilation
Rates (cfm/person)
)
70
Smoking 62-89
60

50

40 Flugge
Billings
1895 1905
Nightengale
30 Smoking 62-81
1865
ASH-
RAE
20 ASHRAE 62-89
62-73
Tredgold Yaglou
10 1836 1938
ASHRAE 62-81
0
35

42

49
56

63

70

77
84

91

98
05

12

19

26
33

40

47
54

61

68
75

82

89

96
18

18

18
18

18

18

18
18

18

18
19

19

19

19
19

19

19
19

19

19
19

19

19

19
 Improved Ventilation Effectiveness
Mechanically provide filtered and
dehumidified outdoor air to the
breathing space
Vary ventilation based on the
number of occupants and process
loads - changes in occupancy can
be measured by CO2 sensors
Consider designs that separate
ventilation and space conditioning
Utilize heat recovery systems to
reduce system size and ventilation
energy costs
 Improved Ventilation Effectiveness
Effective mixing of ventilation
air within space
Net positive pressure in the
southeast; exhaust from
appropriate spaces
Provide clean outdoor air,
avoid:
loading docks
exhaust vents
plumbing stacks
waste collection
stagnant water
 Additional Information / Resources

ASHRAE The American Society of Heating,

Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
www.ashrae.org
Geothermal heat pump consortium
www.geoexchange.org
www.buildingscience.com
www.energycodes.gov